Cardiac magnetic resonance for ventricular arrhythmias: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) allows comprehensive myocardial tissue characterisation, revealing areas of myocardial inflammation or fibrosis that may predispose to ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). With this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of structural heart disease (SHD) and decipher the prognostic implications of CMR in selected patients presenting with significant VAs.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for studies enrolling adult patients that underwent CMR for diagnostic or prognostic purposes in the setting of significant VAs.

Prevalence, characteristics, and natural history of apical phenotype in a large cohort of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is a variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with distinct imaging and clinical characteristics. Data on the prognosis of this HCM subgroup appear conflicting. Our study aims to clarify the natural history of ApHCM and identify predictors of outcomes.

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Parametric Mapping Techniques for the Assessment of Chronic Coronary Syndromes.

The term chronic coronary syndromes encompasses a variety of clinical presentations of coronary artery disease (CAD), ranging from stable angina due to epicardial coronary artery disease to microvascular coronary dysfunction. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has an established role in the diagnosis, prognostication and treatment planning of patients with CAD. Recent advances in parametric mapping CMR techniques have added value in the assessment of patients with chronic coronary syndromes, even without the need for gadolinium contrast administration.

Left Atrial Myopathy is Associated With Exercise Incapacity and Ventilatory Inefficiency in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Left atrial (LA) myopathy is an established component of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); however, the data about its association with exercise incapacity or ventilatory inefficiency that may be seen in HCM patients are limited. This study aimed to explore the association between LA myopathy, evaluated by echocardiography LA strain, and exercise capacity and ventilatory efficiency, evaluated by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), in HCM patients.

Methods: This study included 241 consecutive HCM patients (aged 51.

Contemporary Data on the Status and Medical Management of Acute Heart Failure.

Purpose Of Review: Acute heart failure (AHF) is among the leading causes for unplanned hospital admission. Despite advancements in the management of chronic heart failure, the prognosis of AHF remains poor with high in-hospital mortality and increased rates of unfavorable post-discharge outcomes. With this review, we aim to summarize current data on AHF epidemiology, focus on the different patient profiles and classifications, and discuss management, including novel therapeutic options in this area.

The prognostic value of right ventricular ejection fraction by cardiovascular magnetic resonance in heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is considered the gold standard for the assessment of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF). Previous studies have suggested that RVEF may be a predictor of adverse outcomes in heart failure (HF). In this study, we aimed to systematically review the prognostic value of RVEF, evaluated by CMR, across the spectrum of left ventricular systolic function in patients with HF.

Mitral regurgitation impact on left atrial myopathy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Recent studies have shown that mitral regurgitation (MR) represents a major determinant of left atrial (LA) function in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The role of MR in determining LA myopathy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association of MR with LA myopathy, assessed by LA strain values in HCM patients.

Advances in treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) is a progressive pulmonary vascular disease which can lead to right heart failure and death, if left untreated. CTEPH is caused by persistent obstruction of large, middle-sized, or distal pulmonary arteries due to limited thromboembolic resolution in the pulmonary vascular arterial tree. Every patient with CTEPH should undergo evaluation for Pulmonary Endarterectomy (PEA) after referral to institutions with an experienced multidisciplinary CTEPH team.

Evaluation of mitral regurgitation by cardiac magnetic resonance and transthoracic echocardiography: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) have complementary roles in the severity grading of mitral regurgitation (MR). Our objective was to systematically review the correlation of MR severity as assessed by TTE and CMR. We searched MEDLINE and Cochrane Library for original series published between January 1st, 2000 and March 23rd, 2020.

Adjustment Mechanisms in the Acute Phase of Myocardial Infarction in Men.

Aim: Stress and Coping Model and Post-Traumatic Growth Theory indicate adjustment procedures concepts after a crisis. The objective of this study was to assess the relationships between causal attributions, coping strategies and post-traumatic growth in male patients with acute myocardial infarction and variable cardiac function severity.

Methods: Seventy-eight male patients surviving a myocardial infarction, were divided into two sub-groups based on left ventricular ejection fraction measurements [Group A (left ventricular ejection fraction: <45%, n = 34), Group B (left ventricular ejection fraction: ≥45%, n = 44)] and were interviewed after the acute phase of myocardial infarction, on the last day of their coronary unit stay.

Atrial Fibrillation Is Associated with Cognitive Impairment, All-Cause Dementia, Vascular Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia in patients with stroke history. However, the association between AF and cognitive impairment in broader populations is less clear.

Objective: To systematically review and quantitatively synthesize the existing evidence regarding the association of AF with cognitive impairment of any severity and etiology and dementia.

Validation of the new American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for the risk stratification of sudden cardiac death in a large Mediterranean cohort with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the performance of the new American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines, with respect to sudden cardiac death (SCD) prevention, in comparison with the established risk score of the European Society of Cardiology (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy [HCM] Risk-SCD), in a large Mediterranean cohort of HCM patients.

Methods: The clinical and imaging characteristics of 784 HCM patients (mean age at first evaluation 52 ± 16 years, 67.2% males) were analyzed retrospectively.

Magnesium Disorders and Prognosis in Heart Failure: A Systematic Review.

Magnesium is an essential mineral for the human body and plays an important role in cardiovascular health. Hypomagnesaemia has been linked with increased cardiovascular mortality in heart failure; however, previous studies have yielded conflicting results. Even fewer studies have addressed the association between hypermagnesemia and prognosis in heart failure.

The predictive value of left ventricular and left atrial mechanics for atrial fibrillation and heart failure in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a prospective cohort study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) represent clinical turning points, altering the natural history of HCM and influencing long-term outcome of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) myocardial deformation parameters to predict new-onset AF and HF outcomes in patients with HCM. This was a prospective study that included HCM patients without severe valvular heart disease, prior myocardial infarction or history of AF.

Prognostic role of left ventricular apical aneurysm in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to systematically review and quantitatively synthesize existing evidence about the prognostic value of LV apical aneurysm in patients with HCM.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) represents a common inherited heart disease associated with enormous diversity in morphologic expression and clinical course. With the increasing penetration of advanced high resolution cardiovascular imaging into routine HCM practice, a subset of HCM patients with left ventricular (LV) apical aneurysm have become more widely recognized.

Venous thromboembolism in the era of COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) does not only affect the respiratory system but appears to be a systemic disease. Venous thromboembolism is a common manifestation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 with a reported incidence that is significantly higher compared to other acute viral infections. The pathophysiology mechanisms have not been fully explored and autopsy studies might enhance our understanding on this topic.

Comprehensive review of hemolysis in ventricular assist devices.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have played an important role in altering the natural history of end-stage heart failure. Low-grade hemolysis has been traditionally described in patients with VADs, indicating effective device functionality. However, clinically significant hemolysis could be crucial in terms of prognosis, calling for prompt therapeutic actions.

Predictors of vertigo in the emergency department: The preved study.

Background And Purpose: Acute vertigo (sense of motion) can be the sole manifestation of a posterior circulation stroke, and often gets missed in the emergency department (ED). The studies for evaluation of central vertigo have focused on physical exam findings, which require expertise and may not be suitable for rapid triage by a nurse in ED or by paramedics.

Methods: This cross sectional study included retrospective chart review of patients 18 years of age and older who presented to the Adult ED with acute dizziness or vertigo during the calendar year 2017.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance as a complementary method to transthoracic echocardiography for aortic valve area estimation in patients with aortic stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease. While two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) is the standard imaging modality for AS assessment, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) offers a reliable and reproducible alternative. The aim of this study was to compare AVA measurements as determined by TTE and CMR in patients with AS.